Chapter 189: Rebellion Against the Sect

Qingyun Mountain in Yuzhou was one of the few spiritual mountains in the region and also served as the Ling family's stronghold. A massive azure light barrier enveloped the peak of Qingyun Mountain, sheltering dozens of Ling family members within.

A group of cultivators was besieging Qingyun Mountain, led by the rogue cultivator Chen Hu. Chen Hu was already at the second level of Foundation Establishment and exuded confidence. Years ago, he was fortunate to receive assistance from a benefactor, obtaining two bottles of True Fiend Qi, which enabled him to successfully establish his foundation. Being righteous and generous, he quickly gathered a following. Beside Chen Hu was a scholarly young man in a blue Confucian robe, who was at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment. In addition to these two Foundation Establishment cultivators, there was also a beautiful woman in a blue dress, who was at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment.

"Why has it taken so long to capture?" the woman in the blue dress questioned, frowning with a hint of displeasure. "Fellow Daoist Chen, you aren't just going through the motions, are you?"

Chen Hu explained with a deferential smile, "Immortal Li, please don't misunderstand. My subordinates are all rogue cultivators, and their attacks aren't very strong. The Ling family has managed Qingyun Mountain for many years, so it's impossible to take it down quickly. Please give me another half-day." Chen Hu owed his current standing entirely to these two individuals, so he dared not offend them in the slightest.

"Never mind, Junior Sister Li," the young man in the green robe said. "Let's just help him out and finish off the Ling family sooner!" He released two colossal azure giant eagles, which attacked the blue light barrier from high altitude. The woman in the blue dress then released two massive white giant eagles, joining the fray.

With the addition of four second-tier spirit birds, the azure light barrier shattered shortly after. Chen Hu was overjoyed and shouted, "Brothers, follow me and kill!" He charged forward with his subordinates. With the assistance of the young man in the green robe and the woman in the blue dress, the Ling family was no match for them. They were completely annihilated, with no survivors, and all their wealth was plundered.

Days later, news of the Ling family's annihilation spread, causing all cultivation forces in Yuzhou to feel insecure.

In a golden colossal pagoda within the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range, Li Haifeng and six other Core Formation cultivators were engaged in a discussion. A tall young man in a yellow robe quickly entered the room.

"Martial Uncle Li," the young man said, "we've captured a disciple from Medicine King Valley. She claims she can help us break through Immortal Fate City's array." Li Haifeng's eyes lit up. Lately, the four sects of Song Nation had been avoiding direct confrontation, waiting for reinforcements. Once those reinforcements arrived, their own losses would be even greater.

Logically, with seven against four, if all seven Core Formation cultivators were to engage, the four sects of Song Nation might not be able to hold out. However, such a move would escalate into a fight to the death. If the four sects were pushed too hard, their Core Formation cultivators might even team up to strike at Wei Nation's rear, besieging the mountain gates of Wei Nation's five major sects, which would cause significant trouble. Aside from the initial capture of Ziyue Market, where one Core Formation cultivator was killed, subsequent battles had primarily involved Foundation Establishment cultivators. The Core Formation cultivators on both sides had a tacit understanding; none had made a move, as breaking this unspoken rule would result in a loss of face for everyone involved.

"Bring her in," Li Haifeng instructed. "I'd like to see what method she has." Soon after, the yellow-robed young man returned, accompanied by a yellow-robed woman. It was Zhao Ningxiang.

"Tell me, what method do you have to break through Immortal Fate City's array?" Li Haifeng asked, his tone rather flat. "If your method works, we might spare your life."

"I have five conditions," Zhao Ningxiang stated with a determined expression, appearing resigned to her fate. "If you seniors agree, I will speak. Otherwise, you can kill me, but I won't say a word." Core Formation cultivators could not yet employ soul-searching techniques; only those above the Nascent Soul stage could.

Li Haifeng's brows furrowed slightly. "Tell me, what are your conditions?"

"First," Zhao Ningxiang began slowly, her tone calm, "after the array is broken, no action is to be taken against Qi Condensation cultivators; my father is still in Immortal Fate City. Second, I wish to join Huangsheng Palace, and a Core Formation cultivator must accept me as a disciple. Third, I want two Foundation Establishment Pills, to be given to me now. Fourth, Huangsheng Palace must accept two of my clansmen. Fifth, this matter must not be divulged, and if the four sects of Song Nation seek revenge against my Zhao family in the future, you must assist us." She continued, "Sirs, not only do I know the flaws in Immortal Fate City's array, but I also know the location of a hidden spirit herb garden in Medicine King Valley. Furthermore, I know the location of the Heavenly Moon Secret Realm, which is controlled by the four sects of Song Nation. I've been inside before and know some details, and I even have a topographic map in my possession. The five conditions I'm asking for are not excessive compared to what I know."

"After the array is broken, if people below start fighting, I cannot control them," Li Haifeng responded. "If Qi Condensation cultivators resist, we can't just stand by, can we? I can issue an order to avoid harming Qi Condensation cultivators as much as possible. You can join our Huangsheng Palace; I do not take disciples, but Junior Brother Li can accept you as a nominal disciple. We can also agree to your other three conditions. However, first tell us how to break the array."

Zhao Ningxiang took out an azure jade slip and explained, "Immortal Fate City was attacked by demonic beasts and later rebuilt. These are the materials used for several array cores during its reconstruction. The Celestial Star Sect excels in array formations; knowing the materials used, they will surely be able to identify the array's weaknesses."

Most array formations used in the cultivation world had been improved, and Immortal Fate City's city-protecting array was no exception. This was precisely why Feng Yue of the Celestial Star Sect had not acted rashly.

The yellow-robed young man took the jade slip and quickly handed it to Li Haifeng. After reading it, Li Haifeng passed it to Feng Yue.

"Based solely on these materials, we can only analyze part of the array's power," Feng Yue remarked. "Besides this, do you know any other details?"

Zhao Ningxiang pondered for a moment, then revealed everything she knew.

"Alright, you may go," Li Haifeng said. "Nephew Li, assign someone to guard her strictly; no one else is to contact her privately." The yellow-robed young man acknowledged the order and led Zhao Ningxiang away.

Li Haifeng asked with concern, "Madam Feng, can the information she provided break the array?"

"There's a fifty percent chance, and with the addition of array-breaking talismans, it goes up to seventy percent," Feng Yue replied. "However, if we do this, we'll have to confront Li Shixian and the others directly. To defeat them, we must kill several more Core Formation cultivators. Otherwise, once reinforcements from Chu Nation arrive, they'll continue to wear us down. If all our disciples die, who will cultivate the fields? Who will guard the mountain gate? Who will manage the market?"

"Madam Feng is right," Li Haifeng affirmed. "Hesitation won't achieve great things." Qu Xiong's eyes darted around, and he suggested, "I propose that after we break through Immortal Fate City, we collectively attack and capture Qingyang Sect. Qingyang Sect has been established for many years, so they must possess considerable wealth. This would serve two purposes: firstly, to accumulate riches, and secondly, to deter the other three sects, making them retreat in the face of difficulty. If they are willing to withdraw from Song Nation, that would be ideal. Fellow Daoist Li, fellow Daoists, the longer this war drags on, the greater our losses will be, and the more perilous our rear. Currently, several surrounding nations have started fighting. Some are seizing the opportunity to expand their influence, some are taking advantage to occupy other nations' territories, and some are holding their ground, preparing to reap the benefits later. Ending this war sooner will, firstly, reduce our losses, and secondly, allow us to expand our gains."

His proposal received approval from many. Everyone else agreed, and Li Haifeng also consented. They prepared to annihilate their enemies completely.